The Times – 3 October 2026

The fatal flaw in proportional representation, seemingly advocated by Sir Vernon Bogdanor ("First past the post is broken – PM is right to challenge it", Thunderer, Oct 2), is the grossly disproportionate influence exerted by smaller parties in coalitions. During the 2010-15 Cameron-Clegg government, for example, we witnessed the perilous postponement of the decision to build the next generation of our Trident nuclear submarines. Despite the overwhelming majority of Conservative and Labour MPs strongly favouring Trident renewal, the price of Liberal Democrat entry into the coalition was years of costly delay and a dangerous threat to continuous at-sea deterrence.

Fortunately, coalition governments are rare under first past the post. Under proportional representation they would become the norm, enhancing the opportunities for undue leverage of this sort.

Sir JULIAN LEWIS MP
Former Chairman, Defence Committee
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA